Why Bible Presbyterian?

Continued...

Why Bible Presbyterian? Certainly not because of our history. Our history is marred and incomplete, but it has evidenced God's blessings of power and usefulness. Moreover, God's promises to us are not blunted even by painful excesses in our history. Our future remains stunning in potential.

Our Fathers were very wise in the direction they gave to our Church. They placed our agenda in the very forefront of the day's controversies. To illustrate; On the new property of the Suncoast BP church there is a swimming pool. One of the pool tools left by the previous owners was an automatic pool vacuum cleaner. This particular model has a nasty habit of moving into a corner of the pool bottom and running in circles. That corner gets clean, but the rest of the pool remains dirty. Many denominations approach truth and society in a similar manner -- in a corner. Our Church fathers sought, biblically, to clean up the whole "pool" of church and society and not just a corner. We have been an activist group, vocal and involved in the central controversies of the day. Was that wise? Was it biblical? Would a future similar course justify a positive answer to the question of the evening, "Why BPs?" Can BPs be a blessing to the entire nation and church? Will the next generation of our church be content in the comfort of cleaning just a corner?

Consider Jeremiah, especially chapter 23. He had such a negative ministry. He condemned most if not all the clergy and people of his day. Was he a blessing to his people? Did he speak what God wanted him to? is his example a pattern for us? is his message of irremediable judgment applicable to our nation and people today?

We can see Jeremiah's commission as one of tearing down, and also the work of building up (Jeremiah 1:10). That is a necessary sequence in God's work for any day. We also see in Jeremiah's book that God's day of judgment upon His people had come. We do not know if God might still hold out to the U.S. what he denied Israel through Jeremiah; judgment. Solzhenitzin has said it is too late for America. If so, should we speak the Word of the Lord as Jeremiahs?

Why Bible Presbyterians? I have not satisfactorily answered that question this evening. But let me say that you are my family. I have known no other. You are most precious to me. I jealously covet your acceptance and love. Sometimes some of you have me so angry. But then, many times your integrity and love have made me terribly proud of you. Here at Synod I have learned of such pain. On one side is a brother who has experienced betrayal of long friendships. Those he has lovingly led to Christ and fed for years, have lacerated his heart with cruelty and hatred. My heart weeps with him. Another suffers daily from grinding financial need. Then here is another who is enduring the pain and uncertainty of disease. (We have rallied our congregation to pray for every need and rejoice in every victory you have had.) Give me this great family to love and pray for. Give me you, my brothers to stand with as we serve in this evil day. We must, as a denomination learn how to "bear one anothers' burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." Wouldn't it be great if other denominations could look upon us and say, "they are small, and we don't like their insistence on God's Holiness, they won't join us in our unbiblical compromise, but look how they tenderly care for one another." This is not learned in schools. This is only learned in heeding the Word of the Holy God.

Are you saved? Is Christ your Lord and Master? Repentance and trust in Christ as your Saviour is your great need right now. And then, are you a BP ready to enter into the struggles of the mainstream of the church and society, in bringing your neighbors, friends, politicians and public officials, as well as businessmen and industrialists to the obedience of God's Word? Have we more Hosmons, Lambies and Dodds or a Clyde Kennedy in our church family to bring the heathen to Christ?

Why Bible Presbyterian? Our history has shown us the way, both good and bad. Our exemplary centrality and vigor have shown us that we have what is needed for the future. Our size is strength in the sense that we have little to drag with us into the future.

Our direction must be provided by the Holy God in whose presence we stand. God grant us a continuing church in which idealism may remain unstained, and guide us to the "well done" of our Saviour.

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